Bharathipura

Bharathipura First published in Bharathipura reveals U R Ananthamurthy s b lifelong preoccupation with moving beyond caste and class interests in a modern society Set in contemporary India Bharathipura

Title: Bharathipura

Author: U.R. Ananthamurthy ಯು. ಆರ್. ಅನ೦ತಮೂರ್ತಿ Susheela Punitha

ISBN: 9780198070481

Page: 448

Format: Hardcover

First published in 1973, Bharathipura reveals U.R Ananthamurthy s b.1932 lifelong preoccupation with moving beyond caste and class interests in a modern society Set in contemporary India, Bharathipura revolves around the life of an enlightened modern Indian, Jagannatha, who in order to get rid of his personal burdens commits a scandalous act His attempt to taFirst published in 1973, Bharathipura reveals U.R Ananthamurthy s b.1932 lifelong preoccupation with moving beyond caste and class interests in a modern society Set in contemporary India, Bharathipura revolves around the life of an enlightened modern Indian, Jagannatha, who in order to get rid of his personal burdens commits a scandalous act His attempt to take untouchables into the local Manjunatha temple exposes the complexities of the caste system and the myth of social justice in modern India Further, the novel brings to light how the contemporary world recreates and reconstructs the past to protect hierarchical structures prevalent across societies, and also portrays the altering destinies of individuals and communities In Susheela Punitha s hands, the translation retains the cultural and linguistic ambience of the Kannada society The detailed Introduction by N Manu Chakravarthy sets the work in the context of twentieth century India The in depth interview of the author by Chakravarthy, a special feature of this volume, opens a window to Ananthamurthy s art and worldview.

1 thought on “Bharathipura”

"The instant of decision is madness."- Kierkegaard. I am not insightful or intelligent enough to write a proper review of this book. But I would definitely recommend it to everyone, it's actually very good, I would have given it four stars if it wasn't for the fact that I was starting to feel a little claustrophobic after spending so much time inside Jagannatharayar's head. Sometimes even others in the book seem to be thinking and speaking his thoughts. And then throughout the book you are think [...]

URA is an unnecessarily obvious writer of ideas and Bharathipura reads as though it has been written for somebody to write a thesis on 'Tradition and Modernity in URA's Fiction'. The obviousness of the novel is embarrassing - URA is a caterer not a writer; he knows he's catering but doesn't put it into the novel. He hides it behind his award-winning smiles.

I did once hear that "Moby Dick" was originally intended as a scientific study on whales which was later wrapped up in an adventurous story to make it more palatable. I went through a similar sensation while reading this particular novel which could rather be called a philosophy treatise. Arguments and debates abound throughout, with the story patching it together to form an interesting read. 'Oppressed class', 'untouchability', 'Dalit' -- all these words have become a part of common vocabulary [...]

URA majority known for his critics , rational thinking and critical intelligence. Bharathipura, I believe one of his best work( better than Samskara).This is a factious novel about an era in India social life where “GOD and worship” were occupied Indian souls with high superstitious and inhuman rather than spiritual uplift and compassion . In Bharathipura I think URA clearly explains , through the feelings and engagements of Jagannatha, social reform can be possible if action and self-awaren [...]

India, caste system, Holeyaru, Kannada Language. Slow moving with lots of inner dialog of main character, Jagannatha, who wants to end the hold that god Manganatha and low caste counterpart god Bhoothariya have over the people in the town. He wants equlity for low caste Holeyaru and plots to bring them into temple where they are not allowed. Do the Holeyaru want equality is a question. Jaganatha is determined to initiate social change.